How to Make Floating Islands

 The floating island is a classic in French cuisine. Developed with egg whites and custard, this dessert can be embellished in different ways to vary the taste.

The floating island is a delicious and inexpensive dessert. Very easy to make, even for a beginner, this dessert is always the joy of children and adults at the table at the end of a meal. Basically, the floating island is made of eggs beaten stiff, and custard. In addition, there are several variants with candied fruit, chocolate or caramel. They are also easy to make and delicious to the taste. Are you ready to learn the floating island recipe?

The basic floating island recipe

The basic recipe for a meringue floating island is plunged into custard. This recipe is relatively easy to perform, and requires 20 minutes of preparation and a little longer time for cooking.

Ingredients list for the Floating Islands

For 8 people

• 8 egg whites,
• 4 cups (40 g) sugar,
• A pinch of salt,
• 4 1/4 cups (1L ) of whole milk,
• 1 vanilla pod.

For the custard, use the remaining milk, 8 egg yolks and 1 cup (180g) caster sugar. Finally, make the caramel topping.

Cooking instruction

Beat the eggs until stiff with a pinch of salt. Add sugar and continue beating the eggs. Meanwhile, bring the milk to the boil over a medium heat with a split vanilla pod. After a few stirrings, set over a low heat. Drop the dumplings made white beaten with two tablespoons. Poach for 2 minutes, turning. All sides should be cooked. Remove the white milk.

To determine if egg whites are cooked, they should be firm to the touch. Reserve the milk for later. Then, whisk the egg yolks with 1 cup (180g) of sugar. Add the milk mixture to the egg yolk and sugar, stirring with a wooden spoon.

Bring to a low heat, stirring until the foam disappears and coats the back of a wooden spoon before turning off. Remember that the custard should not boil. Fill 8 small custard cups and fill them with one egg white at a time. Drizzle islands with caramel. Put your floating islands in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and serve cold.

Tips for a successful Floating Islands Recipe

Here are some helpful tips to ensure you prepare a great floating island. For a successful custard, cooked to perfection, use a thermometer and cook the cream to 120°F (48°C). To save time, cook your egg whites in the microwave. To do this, form dumplings, place them on a plate that can withstand the microwave and cook for 10 to 15 minutes at full power. To succeed, use fresh eggs.

Recipes variants for Floating Islands

To give a fruity note to your floating islands, add the candied fruit. Then cut the fruit into small pieces which you will fry in butter for 2 minutes. Then sprinkle over the sugar and cook for another few minutes. Add a tablespoon of candied fruit in the ramekin of floating island and refrigerate.

To make a chocolate floating island, you must add 100g of chocolate ingredients into the milk custard before adding the egg yolks and sugar.

The process is the same for the floating islands with cinnamon. You can also add chocolate chips to egg meringues, or incorporate almonds before pouring on the meringues. Also Read: How To Make Homemade Bread